Ibero-American Colloquium for Senior Citizens

Today's society and the urgent situation of our associates have resulted in increased inequality and social exclusion, which in turn implies a need for higher levels of sustainability, responsibility, social commitment, and progressive inclusion of this population in the tourism sector.

JUSTIFICATION

The Ibero-American Colloquium for Senior Citizens was first held in 2011 as a response to the needs of the elderly in the tourism sector, and as an alternative for their wholesome entertainment, amusement, and relaxation, intended to improve the health and quality of life of people over 50 years old.

MAIN GOAL

The primary objective of the colloquium is to stimulate dialogue among the participants, in order to define strategies for the tourism sector to carry out travel programs over the next three years before the next colloquium (discussion). Among the topics for discussion are the concrete possibilities provided by the tourism sector for activities that will keep the target population in constant movement and actively visiting the Ibero-American region, identified with the help of the tourism industry and chambers, including travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, tourist sites, rural tourism, companies, institutes of tourism, and tourism ministries of the region, particularly the host country for the symposium.

INCLUSIVENESS

Although a person is considered a senior citizen once they turn 65 years old, this event seeks to also include anyone over 50 years old, given that they demonstrate high enthusiasm for these types of events yet have been excluded from the benefits by imposed age limits.

COLLOQUIUM THEME: INCLUSIVE TOURISM

Recreation is a fundamental human right. There are more than 740 million people over 60 years old in the world, and in Latin America this group comprises an estimated 125 million people, with 57 million of them in the Latin American and Caribbean region alone.

Tourists who are senior citizens and disabled spend on average 30% to 40% more than the regular tourist. The main theme of this year's 2014 Colloquium is INCLUSIVE TOURISM, meaning equal for all. It is a fundamental right that must be made available in both public and private tourist sites and through the tourist packages offered by tourism companies.

It is a conventional form of tourism, but adapted to the basic needs of this population. The service must be even more personalized and meet specific requirements. The Colloquium will analyze specific policies of positive aging, seeking to provide possibilities and opportunities to those over 50 years of age that will favor their autonomy and allow them to be positively engaged with their daily life, particularly in regards to tourism for recreational purposes.

HOST COUNTRY 2014: PANAMA

The Second Colloquium will take place in the Republic of Panama. This marvelous country was selected for having the highest diversity of tourist action in the Central American Region, whose inclusive tourist spaces and environments have brought about a positive impact. The event will be supported by the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP), Department of Congresses and Conventions, and the sponsors and suppliers in the colloquium.

DEVELOPMENT OF COLLOQUIUM

The colloquium will be carried out in a practical manner, based on conferences, workshops, and tours in the host country prior to, during, and after the event. The elderly persons who attend the event will be guided to understand that they have the right to develop their own initiatives and travel programs, based on what most appeals to them, as well as the free choice in selecting how they will participate in the tourism industry. During the discussion group, the senior citizens will choose tour routes and plans for the next three years, after which time they will gather again to share their stories and schedule their next three years of tourism.

TOURISM SECTOR

For the tourism sector, this event is yet another proposal to develop a comprehensive character of community service, which at the same time is a justified proposal to sustain and recover the economy of the tourism sector, since this population is free to go on a vacation at any moment. By broadening the opportunities made available to this group of people, we tackle a new social challenge of reversing the current situation of social exclusion for those over 50 years old.

This is an opportunity for the Ibero-American tourist region to become the hub of a new active life among people 50 years and older. As for enterprises, it represents a competitive business advantage that may evolve into a new management model and system of economic benefits, one that promotes the natural environment as well as social environment and simultaneously increases their power of action and responsibility.

Successful inclusive business models demonstrate that growth and innovation arise from supply and demand, hence the need to identify the sector. The colloquium will help assistants identify this sector and their needs, which is why it is vital that the tourism sector participate in the colloquium.